Extracurricular activities are essential for the integral development of your children. They foster social skills, creativity, discipline and self-esteem. Participating in sports, arts, music and other activities allows children to explore their interests, develop talents and learn to work as part of a team.
Choosing the right after-school activities for your child is crucial. Here is a detailed guide to the best after-school activities by age, highlighting the benefits and the most appropriate options for each stage of growth.
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Extracurricular activities for children from 2 to 3 years old
Between the ages of 2 and 3, children are rapidly developing basic motor and sensory skills. They are learning to walk, run, jump and improve their coordination. They are discovering the world around them, while beginning to develop social skills through interaction with other children and adults.
Activities should be playful, safe and focused on exploration and movement, promoting sensory stimulation, motor development and socialization. Here are some options:
- Swimming: Improves coordination, muscle strength and confidence in the water.
- Music and freemovement: Classes that combine music, dance and simple games to stimulate auditory and motor development and encourage free movement.
- Art and crafts: Activities that allow you to explore creativity and experiment through painting, drawing and modeling with plasticine.
- Outdoor activities: Offer connection with nature and allow them to explore the environment in parks or open spaces where they can run, jump and play freely.
After-school activities for children from 3 to 4 years of age
At this stage, children develop more complex cognitive skills and improve their language ability. They begin to understand basic concepts, follow instructions and participate more actively in role-play and group activities.
At this stage, children develop more complex cognitive skills and improve their language ability. They begin to understand basic concepts, follow instructions and participate more actively in role-play and group activities.
After-school activities should encourage interaction and learning through play, stimulating their thinking and problem solving, providing opportunities to improve vocabulary and social skills, and promoting spaces for free expression, creativity and imagination. Recommended activities for children ages 3 to 4 include:
- Swimming: Classes that teach children to feel comfortable in the water while developing coordination and strength.
- Free dance: Dance activities improve coordination and sense of rhythm. It allows them to move freely, explore their bodies and what they are capable of. There are many, many options for dance classes, with a wide range of styles and rhythms.
- Storytelling and reading: Reading sessions with parents, fostering a love of books and developing language skills.
- Children’s Theater: Simple role-plays and performances that help develop verbal expression and confidence.
After-school activities for children from 4 to 5 years old
At this age, children are more independent and have a greater ability to concentrate. They are learning to collaborate with others, follow rules and develop their own ideas and projects. Extracurriculars should challenge their mind and body in a balanced way.
Extracurriculars that encourage decision making and problem solving are recommended. Provide opportunities to work with other children and learn about cooperation and improve dexterity and coordination. Examples include:
- Introduction to sports: Introduction to sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, or even multisport activities, which promote teamwork and coordination.
- Music classes: Learn to play basic instruments, such as the piano or flute, which develop auditory and fine motor skills.
- Languages: Foreign language classes, through play and experimentation, since children learn languages intuitively and their cognitive capacity at an early age is more malleable.
After-school activities for children from 6 to 12 years of age
Between the ages of 6 and 12, children have an increased ability to follow directions and participate in more structured and complex activities. They are developing more advanced academic, social and emotional skills, so extracurricular activities should foster both physical and intellectual development.
In addition to challenging their minds, activities should encourage lifelong learning and provide opportunities to develop social skills, empathy, collaboration and leadership. In turn, extracurriculars that promote an active and healthy lifestyle are always recommended. Here are some ideas:
- Individual and team sports: Sports such as tennis, martial arts, swimming or soccer, which improve physical fitness, discipline, perseverance and frustration tolerance, among many other benefits.
- Book clubs or workshops: Groups where children can read and discuss books, fostering a love of reading and reading comprehension. Through books they not only stimulate their creativity and imagination and improve their reading skills, but they can also learn about managing feelings, equality, science, technology, and countless other topics according to their interests.
- Programming and robotics: Introduction to technology, which is not only essential in today’s world, but also allows them to develop logical, problem-solving and technological skills.
- Art: Classes in painting, sculpture and other visual arts that allow for creative expression and the development of artistic skills.
- Theater: Theater classes that improve verbal expression, confidence, emotional management and the ability to work in a group.
- Languages: Foreign language classes, such as English, French, German, or Chinese, which broaden your cultural horizons and improve your language skills.
- School support: Reinforcement classes in subjects such as mathematics, language and science, which help to improve academic performance and to acquire effective study habits.
- Chess: Chess is an activity that improves strategic thinking, concentration and patience.
Tips for choosing the ideal extracurricular program for your children
Listen to their opinion: know their interests and passions.
It is essential to understand what each child really likes, what motivates him/her, what kind of activities awaken a particular interest and leave a sparkle in his/her eyes. Observe their daily activities, conversations and games to identify their interests.
Involve him in the decision and ask him what activities he would like to try. You can explain to him/her what each activity consists of, their differences, what he/she will do and together choose the option he/she likes the most.
It may take time to find the ideal activity, it may happen that he starts doing an activity and then loses interest or motivation, let him explore until he finds the extracurricular activity that motivates him, makes him excited and he never wants to skip it.
Consider their age and development
Make sure the activities are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level. They should be challenging but not overwhelming, allowing for steady and safe growth, in which they feel comfortable. It is also important to help them grow and stimulate different abilities and areas according to their age, above we provide a detailed guide for each age.
Balance between fun and learning
Extracurricular activities should be a balance between fun and learning. Look for activities that allow them to have fun, explore and investigate, to provide a space where they not only acquire valuable skills, but also have a great time. These are more relaxed activities than school, where there is more room for leisure and free choice.
Research options and programs
Investigate the quality of the extracurriculars, the institution, its philosophy and values, the program and the experience of the instructors. Look for references, read reviews and, if possible, visit the place where the activities take place. A good instructor can make a big difference in your child’s experience and learning.
On toddl.co you can explore thousands of after-school programs, filter them by location and type of activity, compare centers, find new proposals, and even read reviews from other families. Yes, all that in one place. Start exploring options for your children! !
Respect their rhythm and space
Each child has his or her own pace of learning and adapting. If you notice that your child does not enjoy or feels overwhelmed by an activity, it is important to be flexible and consider a change. Excessive pressure can lead to stress and demotivation.
It is essential not to compare them with other children, nor to exert pressure, providing them with a space where they can explore, get to know themselves, discover their passion and be themselves.
